Largo Man Arrested With 33 Abused Pit Bulls, Dogfighting Equipment

LARGO, FL — A 38-year-old Largo man is facing 29 counts of animal cruelty after Pinellas County deputies discovered 33 dogs caged in handmade wood kennels, four of which were injured, along with dogfighting equipment.

In all, Pinellas County Animal Services, the sheriff's office and the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office charged Terrell Coley of 12843 119th St. N., Largo, two counts of felony child neglect, four counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, 29 counts of animal cruelty, two counts of felon in possession of a firearm, one count possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and one count of possession of cocaine, with additional charges pending.

On Saturday around 10:20 a.m., deputies were called to Coley's home in unincorporated Largo for a complaint of multiple barking dogs.

When deputies arrived, they heard the dogs barking and attempted to contact someone at the home.

Deputies made their way to the back yard and found Coley along with a large number of handmade wood kennels housing approximately 30 dogs of all ages.

Noticing signs of animal abuse and neglect, deputies took Coley into custody and obtained a search warrant from the state attorney's office to enter the home.

Pinellas County Animal Services arrived and sized 33 pit bull terriers of various ages, four of them injured.

Dogfighting equipment was also located inside the home.

According to deputies, two children under the age of 14 in Coley's care were found inside the home with no food or supplies.

Deputies also discovered cocaine, multiple firearms and ammunition inside the home.